Browne century leads Spirit to consolation win

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A stunning unbeaten century from all rounder Nicola Browne led the Northern Spirit to a thrilling win over the Auckland Hearts at Melville Park in Auckland.

Chasing 197, the Spirit hit the winning runs of the penultimate ball to win by three wickets.

Overall and Women’s One-Day MVP leader, Browne took the game by the scruff of the neck after Northern looked to be in trouble at 166 for seven in the 45th over. She shared a 34 run partnership with number nine batsman Leydon-Davis to steer them home with Leydon-Davis only contributing two of those runs.

Browne finished on 111 off only 96 deliveries and it's her highest score, beating the 101 she made against the Central Hinds last year. This season she has scored 474 runs in five matches with an average over 118.

Earlier, the Auckland Hearts made 197 for seven with opener Michelle Lynch top scoring with 41 and Megan Tremaine next best on 33.

Sharp bowling from Kate Pulford, who took three for 24, helped keep the Hearts to a low total.

The Northern Spirit finishes the Women’s One-Day competition in fifth place despite the win with Auckland one point ahead in fourth.